Kirk Brown is the CEO of HANDY, Inc., a child welfare and workforce development organization serving South Florida’s most vulnerable youth and families. A nationally recognized transformational leader with more than 29 years of experience, Brown has built a reputation for aligning public policy, private investment, and community partnerships to produce measurable outcomes in education, housing, workforce mobility, and family stabilization. Under his leadership, HANDY has achieved a 95% success rate in post-secondary matriculation, employment placement, safe housing attainment, and positive life planning outcomes for youth served. Prior to leading HANDY, Brown provided statewide Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) policy guidance across all 67 Florida counties at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and managed Independent Living portfolio at the Department of Children and Families, shaping policy and programs impacting more than 2,800 youth annually.

Brian C. Johnson, founder of Community-Based Connections and president and CEO of the Minority Builders Coalition, has worked with at-risk youth in Broward County for nearly 20 years.

As president and CEO of Minority Builders Coalition, Inc., he actively supports a network of minority and small construction related businesses throughout South Florida helping to create/retain jobs for workers in construction fields and preserving safe and affordable housing for more than 600 seniors and low-income families every year. He served for seven years as an elected member of City of West Park City Commission – four of which as vice mayor. During his time in office, Brian translated his passions as an advocate into legislative practices by creating numerous policies/programs that expand prosperity to the residents and businesses in the city. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, as the chair for Broward County Small Business Development Advisory Board, and he is one of the chief advocates for small/minority businesses in South Florida. Johnson is also a founding board member of the Broward County Black Chamber of Commerce, founder of the Zeta Chi Lamplighters Mentoring Program, and founder of the Central Broward Kiwanis Foundation. Johnson has led the Broward School’s Diversity Study Workgroup that created the existing Supplier Diversity Outreach Program. He was the chair of the Stakeholders Workgroup that helped the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County to create new policies and programs to increase its contracting with MWBEs.

Newton B. Sanon is the president and CEO of OIC of South Florida, where he has dedicated more than two decades to advancing economic mobility and workforce opportunities for underserved communities. Since 2001, he has led OIC’s growth from a two-person team to a $15 million organization with over 200 staff, securing more than $190 million in public and private funding. Under his leadership, OIC has helped over 60,000 South Floridians—including returning citizens, unemployed and underemployed workers—transition into stable, family-supporting careers. OIC’s nationally recognized Reentry Program, featured on CNN, earned the White House’s prestigious “Honor of Hope” award. A proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., he serves on several civic and business boards, continuing his lifelong commitment to transforming lives and communities.

Carol Hylton is president and CEO of CareerSource Broward, leading Broward County’s workforce development system. Under her leadership, the agency earned Sun Sentinel’s 2025 Top Places to Work honor, maintained an A+ rating from CareerSource Florida, and secured a $3 million capital improvement Broadband Grant to partner with Broward Health in doing workforce and healthcare in Pompano Beach. Ms. Hylton spearheads initiatives that enable individuals to obtain employment and support employer growth. She serves on the National Association of Workforce Boards, Board of Directors, is Vice President of the Florida Workforce Development Association, and is an alumna of Leadership Florida.